Norwalk's Michele Deluca is CT Emergency Manager of the Year

Local Officials Honor Deputy Director's Achievements

She has worked with fire and emergency personnel throughout hurricanes Irene and Sandy, managing recovery initiatives and even developing local incident management software tools.

In her seven years working with the Norwalk Fire Department, Deputy Director of Emergency Management Michele Deluca is the 2014 State of Connecticut Emergency Manager of the Year.

"Thanks for opening the doors that you have for women," said Amy Lappos, Constituent Rep. for Congressman Jim Himes. "I think that you're not only good at your job but the best."

Deluca was honored Wednesday by Mayor Harry Rilling and the Board of Fire Commissioners for her broad scope of work for emergency services. She was selected by a committee that includes the deputy commissioner for the state and a committee representing a consortium of seven northeast states.

"It really is a team effort," said Deluca. "It's myself and everybody around us. I'm honored to be in this position but I'm really is a group."

Among her many achievements with the Fire Department DeLuca was responsible for managing the regional long-term recovery team, the city's emergency operations center, developing mass-care guidelines for the state, and serves as the chair of ESF emergency support function 6, which includes mass care and sheltering.

"Without her involvement up to this point, the region would not be in the position it has been when these major storms have hit," said regional coordinator for DEMHS Region 1, Bob Kenny. '''It was Michelle's concepts and ideas back before any of our major events to fortify our mass care, our emergency shelter capabilities, which from Greenwich to Stratford, up to New Canaan, Wilton, Weston. Those communities are all better off today because of the brainchild of Michele Deluca."

"She really is an employer's dream," said Sen. Bob Duff. "She's somebody who works effectively and quietly. Somebody who gets the job done without a lot of hassle or noise."

"When you have to respond to emergencies, you have to make sure that you have the operational plan in effect," said Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling.

This past January, Deluca was elected vice chair person of region one emergency planning team.